Automatic aeration window

ABSTRACT

An automatic aeration window comprises a movable frame with three parallel window panes separated by gaps, a first lower passage and a second lower passage at the bottom of the window and an upper intermediate passage connecting the two at the top of the mobile frame. In order to enable a light-weight construction of the movable window frame, the first lower passage, connected to an external opening on the outer face of the window and to a first lower opening, is provided in the fixed frame of the window. A closing flap controlled by a puller is also mounted in the fixed window frame, while the second lower passage preferably also passes through this fixed frame. The invention may be used in windows to provide aeration and good acoustic and thermal insulation.

The present invention relates to a window with automatic aeration forbuildings, which comprises a mobile frame on a fixed frame, threeparallel window panes mounted in this frame, a first gap between theouter pane and the intermediate pane and a second gap between theintermediate pane and the inner pane, an aerating circuit with bafflescomposed of at least one inlet passage arranged at the bottom of thewindow for connecting outside air to the first gap, at least oneintermediate passage provided in the upper part of the mobile frame forconnecting the first gap to the second gap and at least one outletpassage arranged at the bottom of the window for connecting the secondgap to air within the building, at least one adjusting and closing flapdisposed in this circuit and means for controlling this flap, providedwith a control member on the inner face of the window.

From French Pat. No. 2,437,484, a window of this type is known, in whichthe inlet and outlet passages are provided in the mobile frame of thewindow. This frame is equipped with shutters arranged to limit or stopthe circulation of air between the window panes, as well as with membersfor manual control of these shutters. This window allows aeration of theroom in which it is mounted, while ensuring excellent acousticinsulation. However, it presents various drawbacks with regard to itsconstruction and use. In particular, the lower part of the frame,enclosing the shutters and the control members, is relativelyvoluminous, whereby the free surface of the window panes is reduced. Theweight of the mobile frame is moreover greater than that of aconventional frame. On the other hand, it is difficult to solve theproblems of sealing at the bottom of the outer window pane in asatisfactory manner, so that operation of the shutters or satisfactorystability of the window are not ensured, if one does not effect regularmaintenance. Moreover, with its relatively heavy and voluminous frame,this system is inconvenient on a window of the guillotine type.

Consequently, the present invention has the object of meeting thesedrawbacks, by providing a window equipped with an air circuit whichpermits aeration when the window is closed, this window being of simpleand sturdy construction, necessitating little maintenance, comprising arelatively light frame, while ensuring good thermal and acousticinsulation.

For this purpose, the present invention relates to a window of the typementioned in the preamble, characterized in that the fixed framecomprises on its outer surface, at least one inlet opening which isconnected to the first gap by the inlet conduit, and in that said flapis mounted on the fixed frame, as well as its control means.

The flap is preferably arranged to be able to shut the inlet opening.This flap may be pivoted round a horizontal axis on at least one supportsolid with the fixed frame. The shutter is in particular advantageouslydisposed on the outer face of the window. The pivoting axis of the flapis preferably situated higher than the opening to be shut, the flapbeing arranged in such a manner with respect to the pivoting axis thatit can shut by its own weight.

The means for controlling the flap preferably include a pullercomprising a rod arranged to slide in the fixed window frame, a handlefixed to the extremity of this puller on the inner side of the window,the outer extremity of the rod being in contact with the flap, and alatching mechanism with catches permitting locking of the puller in atleast two given axial positions. In this arrangment, combined with aflap pivoting around a horizontal axis, the second extremity of the rodand the flap may comprise coupling means for actuating the flap by thepuller in one direction and in the other. In that case, the rod isadvantageously connected to the handle by spring means.

According to a preferred embodiment, the outlet passage passes throughthe fixed frame of the window.

This embodiment presents various advantages which will be describedhereinafter. In particular, an electric ventilator may thus be connectedto the aerating circuit. This ventilator may be mounted in the fixedframe of the window. If the flap is adapted to shut the inlet opening,the ventilator may be disposed in parallel with said inlet opening andbe connected on one hand to an external opening equipped with a mobileclosing member and on the other hand, to the inlet passage, the fixedframe of the window being equipped with means for controlling theventilator and the closing member.

According to another variant, the ventilator may constitute a part of anair conditioner.

According to another embodiment, the outlet passage passes only throughthe mobile frame.

The air circuit may in all cases comprise a removable filter disposed inthe fixed frame.

In a window according to the present invention, the three window panespreferably have the same dimensions. The mobile frame may comprise threeelements which are articulated with respect to each other, each of theseelements serving as a frame for one of the window panes.

The present invention and its advantages may be better understood withreference to the description given below by way of example of variousembodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a vertical transverse section of a preferred embodiment of thewindow according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical section along line II--II of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view representing means for couplingthe puller and the flap.

FIG. 4 is a schematic horizontal section through the lower part of awindow frame comprising a ventilator.

FIG. 5 is a schematic vertical section, similar to that of FIG. 1, of avariant.

FIG. 6 is a schematic vertical section of another embodiment.

The window represented in FIG. 1 comprises a fixed frame 1 includingmetal sections 2 to 9 and sealing strips 11, 12 and 13 of syntheticmaterial or rubber, and a mobile frame 14 pivotally mounted on the fixedframe, for example by means of hinges (not shown), so that it may tiltto open the window. The mobile frame 14 actually comprises three frameelements 15, 16 and 17 which surround and respectively support threeparallel window panes, namely an outer pane 18, and intermediate pane 19and an inner pane 20. The frame elements 15, 16 and 17 are fixedtogether along the sides of the window in a manner known per se, forexample by means of hinges along one of the sides and screws along theother, to permit their separation with a view to cleaning the interiorof the window. Between the window panes, a first gap is defined which issituated between the outer pane 18 and the intermediate pane 19, and asecond gap 22 situated between the intermediate pane 19 and the innerpane 20.

Above the first gap 21, the mobile frame comprises one or several slits23 provided between the frame elements 15 and 16. One or several slits24 are likewise provided between the two frame elements 16 and 17, abovethe second gap 22. The respective-slits 23 and 24 are in communicationwithin the mobile frame 14 by means of an intermediate passage 25situated above the intermediate window pane 19 and its frame element 16.In a variant, the intermediate passage 25 may also consist of slitspassing through the upper part of the frame element 16. Thanks to theintermediate passage 25, air enclosed in the first gap 21 is incommunication with air present in the second gap 22.

The lower part of the mobile frame 14 likewise comprises one or severalslits 26 provided between the frame elements 15 and 16 above the firstgap 21 and one or several slits 27 provided between the frame elements16 and 17 above the second gap 22. When the window is closed, as isshown in FIG. 1, the slits 26 and 27 are not in communication below theintermediate window pane 19, because they are separated by theintermediate frame element 16 resting against the sealing strip 12 ofthe fixed frame.

The slits 23, 24, 26 and 27 are preferably continuous over the wholelength of the window. However, they may be divided by providing severalconsecutive slits, separated by transverse braces which ensure supportof the intermediate frame element 16, against the frame elements 15 and17 to increase the rigidity of the mobile frame.

In accordance with the invention, the fixed frame 1 comprises on itsouter face an inlet opening 30 which is connected to the first gap 21 byan inlet passage 31 extending both through the fixed frame and, by theslits 26, into the mobile frame. In the example shown, the inlet passage31 passes through a horizontal openings 32 of the fixed frame, in whicha removable filter 33 is disposed, represented schemetically in dashedlines, and serves to stop dust, insects, etc.

The openings 30 and 32 preferably extend over a major part of the widthof the window, but they may also consist of several juxtaposed openings.

The lower part of the fixed frame 1 likewise comprises, on the innerside of the window, an outlet openings 34, a horizontal opening 35 andan outlet passage 36 which connects the second gap 22 to the outletopening 34 while passing through the slit 27. One thus obtains an aircircuit going from the inlet opening 30 to the outlet opening 34 via theinlet passage 31, the first gap 21, the intermediate passage 25, thesecond gap 22 and the outlet passage 36, through which circuit air maypass as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 1, or in the opposite directionin some cases.

This circuit comprises a great number of baffles, due particularly tothe fact that air introduced into the lower part of the window isdeviated up to the upper part, then must go down again, thereby ensuringa very great attenuation of external noise transmitted by air to theinterior of the building.

To partially or completely close the inlet opening 30, in order to allowadjustment or interruption of the circulation of air, a flap 40 ismounted on the outer face of the fixed frame of the window.

This flap 40 consists of a section of metal or synthetic material whichextends over a major part of the width of the window. Its rear facecomprises a plane portion arranged to completely cover the inlet openingor openings 30 extending along the window. Along its upper edge, theflap 40 comprises a cylindrical weatherstrip 41 which defines ahorizontal pivoting axis. This weatherstrip is placed in a cylindricalgroove of one or several supports 42 fixed to the window frame. On theother hand, the lower part 43 of the flap 40 has an enlarged form, sothat the center of gravity of the flap is offset outwardly with respectto the pivoting center, whereby the flap 40 tends to shut by its ownweight.

To control the position of the flap 40, the window according to theinvention simply comprises a puller 44 which is mounted in a lower partof the fixed frame 1. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the puller44 comprises a support 45, a sliding sleeve 46 provided with a handle inthe form of a button 47 on the inner side of the window, and a slidingrod 48 whose outer end rests against the flap 40. The other end of therod 48 comprises a head 49 which is held in the sleeve 46 between twosprings 50 and 51 by means of an adjusting screw 52, in order toattenuate the transmission to the puller 44 of shocks which may beproduced by the flap 40 on the rod 48.

The puller 44 further comprises a latching mechanism with catchesallowing locking of the puller in several given axial positions,corresponding to several positions of the flap 40. This mechanism isillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The support 45 of the puller comprises, ina lateral bore, a device called a "ball screw" consisting in a mannerknown per se of a ball 54, a helical spring 55 and a screw 56 ensuringpressure of the spring against the ball. The sleeve 46, arranged toslide axially in the support 45, comprises on its periphery a series ofcircular grooves 57 in which the ball 54 may be engaged to lock theaxial position of the sleeve 46. Each groove 57 thus corresponds to agiven position of the puller 44 and the flap 40.

In FIG. 1, the puller 44 is shown in the closing position of the flap40. When the puller is displaced by bringing the button 47 into theposition 47a drawn in dashed lines, the end of the rod 48 pushes theflap 40 up into an opening position 40a drawn in dashed lines, thenmaintains it in that position due to the effect of the ball screwengaged in the corresponding slot 57. The air circuit passing throughthe window is then open and aeration takes place according to theconditions reigning inside and outside the building.

Most of the time, the air is warmer within the building and the latterwill comprise ventilating ducts which favor draught, so that air willtend to enter through the window according to the invention and tocirculate as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 1. The utilizer may to acertain extent adjust the air flow by means of the flap 40 by acting onthe puller 44.

In the embodiment described above, the shutter simply rests against theextremity of the rod 48 of the puller or against the outer face of theframe, so that it may be raised in certain cases, for example by violentgusts of wind. Such a movement may produce disagreable noise or aircurrents in the building. FIG. 3 illustrates an arrangment which meetsthis drawback by means of a milled groove 60 in the rear part of theflap 40, which groove is oriented perpendicularly to the pivoting axisof the flap and presents a substantially cylindrical section, narrowerat the surface of the flap than in depth. At its lower end, the groove60 comprises an inserting orifice 61 whose diameter is equal to that ofthe cylinder inscribed in the groove 60. The rod 48 utilized in thiscase is provided at its end with a spherical button 62, which isintroduced by the inserting orifice 61 and which then remains imprisonedin the remainder of the groove 60, whereby the flap 40 can not pivot ineither direction. The orifice 61 is disposed sufficiently low so that itis never reached by the spherical button 62, except if one pulls the rod48 outwardly while strongly compressing the spring 51 (FIG. 1).

The window shown in FIG. 1 presents notable advantages with respect tothe prior art previously mentioned. The dimensions and weight of themobile frame are similar to those of a window with triple glazingwithout an aeration circuit. In addition, its sealing means are likewisethe same as those of conventional windows, hence do not present anyparticular problem. Finally, the frame elements may be made withconventional metal sections, in which it is not necessary to providetransversal passages or to accomodate a mechanism.

Another important advantage of the present invention is that it readilypermits the connection of an electrical ventilator to the aerationcircuit, since the latter necessarily passes through the fixed parts ofthe window. This ventilator may be disposed for example in the buildingand be connected to the outlet passage 36 either by the outlet opening34, or by another opening disposed in the vicinity of a corner of thewindow. Such a ventilator may for example constitute a part of an airconditioner.

FIG. 4 illustrates an advantageous arrangement of the ventilator 64installed in the fixed frame of the window. This figure showsschematically in a horizontal section the inner passage 31 of the aircircuit, the inlet opening 30 being closed off by the flap 40. Theventilator 64 is mounted in a separate compartment, near a corner of thewindow, and it is driven by an electric motor 65 which is likewiseaccomodated within the frame 1. On the suction side, the ventilator 64is connected to a suction opening 66 provided in the outer face of theframe 1 and equipped with a closing flap 67 which may be of similarconstruction to the flap 40. The ventilator 64 comprises a delivery tube68 which is connected directly to the inlet passage 31. Finally, apuller 69 having two positions is connected to the flap 67, as well asto a lever 70 controlling operation of the motor 65 so as tosimultaneously provide opening of the flap 67 and starting operation ofthe ventilator 64.

The device represented in FIG. 4 may operate without the help of aventilator, as described above. It is sufficient for this purpose toopen the flap 40. If one wishes to produce forced aeration, one closesthe flap 40 by means of the puller 44, and one opens the flap 67 bymeans of the puller 69, which brings about operation of the ventilator64. The latter draws in outside air through the orifice 66 and deliversit into the interior of the building through the air circuit passingthrough the window. As this circuit is relatively long, and presentsseveral baffles, noise produced by the ventilator is muffled.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate two other embodiments of the window accordingto the invention, in which the fixed frame and the mobile frame are madeof wood.

The window illustrated in FIG. 5 comprises a fixed frame 71 and a mobileframe 72 which carries the three window panes 18, 19 and 20 disposed asin the previous case. The frame 72 is realized in two elements 73 and 74which are articulated on each other in a conventional manner by means ofhinges. The intermediate pane 19 is mounted between the two frameelements 73 and 74, by means of an auxiliary frame 75.

The aeration circuit passing through the window is in principleidentical to that of the window in FIG. 1. It particularly comprises aninlet passage 76 and an outlet passage 77 which through both the fixedframe and the mobile frame in the lower part of the window. The inletpassage 76 is provided with a removable filter 78 and with an adjustingand closing flap 80 controlled by a puller 81. In the upper part of theframe 72, an intermediate passage 82 connects the two gaps 21 and 22situated between the window panes.

The passages 76, 77 and 82 present simple forms and may be easilyrealized by milling longitudinal rectangular slits in the wood.According to the width of the frame, these slits may be continuous ormay form a succession of several slits, between which braces exist toprovide sufficient rigidity of the window. It should be remarked thatthe construction here illustrated is extremely simple. In addition, itallows three window panes to be utilized which have the same dimensions,this being of particular interest with regard to stocks of themanufacturer.

The examples described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 likewiseillustrate another important advantage of the present invention. Thanksto the vertical arrangement of the inlet and outlet passages in theupper part of the mobile frame and thanks to the absence of controlmembers in this frame, these constructions are particularly suitable forrealizing an aeration circuit in a window of the guillotine type, thatis to say one having a frame which is vertically mobile with respect tothe window frame. It is understood that this aeration system may also beutilized for a window with a frame sliding horizontally.

The window represented in FIG. 6 comprises a fixed frame 91 and a mobileframe 92 which are realized in a very similar manner to thecorresponding elements of the window of FIG. 5. The upper part of thesetwo windows is identical. On the other hand, in the case of FIG. 6, thewindow comprises an outlet passage 93 which extends only through themobile frame 92, while the inlet passage 76 is identical to that whichhas been described with reference to FIG. 5. In certain cases, thisarrangement allows the height of the lower part of the window to bereduced by taking advantage of the fact that the greatest thickness ofthe mobile frame 92 is always situated on the inner side of the window,while the greatest thickness of the frame 91 is situated on the outerside.

The present invention is not limited to the described embodiments, butmay extend to any modification or variant obvious to a person skilled inthe art. In particular, the form and arrangement of the adjusting andclosing flaps as well as their control members may have multiplevariants. These flaps are not necessarily placed on the outer face ofthe window; they may also be disposed on the other face or in either theinlet or the outlet passage, within the fixed frame.

I claim:
 1. In a window equipped with three parallel window panes and anaeration circuit comprising:a fixed frame and a mobile frame formed ofthree frame elements consisting of an outer frame element and an innerframe element respectively supporting an outer pane, an intermediatepane and an inner pane defining therebetween two parallel gapscommunicating via a first upper slit at the top of a first gap formedbetween said outer and inner panes, an upper intermediate passage andsecond upper slit at the top of a second gap between said intermediateand inner panes; an external opening at the outer face of the windowcommunicating with a first lower passage and a first lower slit at thebottom of said first gap, and an internal opening at the inner face ofthe window communicating with a second lower passage and a second lowerslit at the bottom of said second gap; and flap means associated withcontrol means; the improvement wherein said three frame elements formingsaid mobile frame are respectively arranged so that said outer andintermediate frame elements define said first upper and lower slits withsaid first gap therebetween, and said intermediate and inner frameelements define said second upper and lower slits with said second gaptherebetween, wherein said upper intermediate passage extends withinsaid mobile frame above said intermediate frame element and between saidouter and inner frame elements; and wherein said fixed frame contains inthe bottom part thereof said external opening, said first lower passageand a first lower opening which are so arranged in the fixed frame thatsaid external opening may communicate with the bottom of said first gapvia said first lower passage and said first lower opening in the fixedframe and said first lower slit in the mobile frame and wherein saidfixed frame further contains a flap and said control means which arethereby operatively associated with said external opening within saidfixed frame.
 2. Window according to claim 1, wherein said outlet passagepasses only through the mobile frame.
 3. Window according to claim 1,wherein the air circuit comprises a removable filter disposed in thefixed frame.
 4. Window according to claim 1, wherein the three windowpanes have the same dimensions.
 5. Window according to claim 1, whereinthe mobile frame comprises three elements which are articulated withrespect to each other, each of these elements serving as a frame for oneof the window panes.
 6. Window according to claim 1, wherein said flapis pivotable around a horizontal axis on at least one support solid withthe fixed frame.
 7. Window according to claim 6 characterized in thatthe flap is disposed on the outer face of the window.
 8. Windowaccording to claim 6 wherein said flap has a pivoting axis locatedhigher than the opening to be shut, the flap being arranged in such amanner with respect to its pivoting axis that it tends to shut by itsown weight.
 9. Window according to claim 1, wherein said flap is adaptedto shut the inlet opening.
 10. Window according to claim 9, wherein saidcontrol means of the flap comprise a puller comprising a rod arranged toslide within the fixed frame, a handle fixed to the extremity of thispuller on the inner side of the window, the outer extremity of the rodbeing in contact with the flap, and a latching mechanism with catchesallowing locking of the puller in at least two given axial positions.11. Window according to claim 10, wherein the second extremity of therod and the flap comprises coupling means for actuating the flap by thepuller in both directions.
 12. Window according to claim 10, wherein therod is connected to the handle by spring means.
 13. Window according toclaim 1, wherein said outlet passage passes through the fixed frame ofthe window.
 14. Window according to claim 13 wherein an electricventilator is connected to the aeration circuit.
 15. Window according toclaim 14 wherein that said ventilator constitutes a part of an airconditionor.
 16. Window according to claim 14 wherein said ventilator ismounted in the fixed frame of the window.
 17. Window according to claim16, wherein said ventilator is disposed in parallel with said inletopening, said ventilator being connected on one hand to an outer openingprovided with a mobile closing member and on the other hand to the inletpassage, the fixed frame of the window being provided with means forcontrolling the ventilator and the closing member.